The Cask of Amontillado by Edgar Allan Poe Critical Essay Example

for neglect of his responsibilities and duties. Returning to Richmond, Virginia, Poe met his future wife and quickly was engaged. With his fiance he moved to Boston in 1827 and began to publish some of his poems.

For the next several years he moved around the north east and published several of his works. By 1835 he became the editor of the Southern Literary Messenger. It was at this time that Poe began to make his name and not because, at the same time, he married his cousin Virginia Clemm who was 13 years old. Poe spent the rest of his life moving up and down the northeastern coast of the country working for different papers and journals. He published several short stories, Lectures, and poems such as the American Review, The Raven, and Eureka to name a few.

His wife Virginia died in January 1847. Poe never remarried but court a few different women until his own death in October of 1849. The critical response to The Cask of Amontillado is quite varied with one underlying theme that the story leaves an indelible impression upon them all. The reason that this story remains with the reader for so long is the final line of the story. Critics still argue after 150 years about the meaning of the final lines, “In pace requiescat” meaning rest in peace, also Montresor echoing Fortunato’s cry “for the love of God. One side feels that the lines indicate feeling of guilt on Montresor’s side; others feel that the lines are pronounced with a tone sarcasm and arrogance towards Fortunato. Events in history that influenced The Cask of Amontillado and Poe are

vast because of the enormous change in the societal structure of the world. The Industrial Revolution drastically changed the world in a relatively short period of time. Major changes to agriculture, manufacturing, transportation, technology, and science drastically changed the way Individuals and country’s interacted, influencing changes economically, socially, and culturally.

Manifest Destiny was the belief that the United States was destined to expand west and settle the rest of the country. The belief was that it was their destiny given by God to move west across the country, to spread the virtues and institutions of American and to redeem themselves to the rest of the world as strong, determined, and virtuous. Romanticism was in reaction the Industrial Revolution and the Age of Enlightenment. Romanticism was a movement of intellect, literature, and artistic insight into oneself as opposed to Industrialization and rationalization.

Romanticism focused on nature and the natural world. Strong emotions were used such as terror, awe, horror, transcendence, and trepidation in confronting nature in all her strength, beauty, and unpredictability. The most basic idea of a Romantic can be summed up as a intelligent, insightful, misunderstood loner who does not follow the norms of society but follows what he believes to be right or good. Romanticism was a way to show that the individuals own values and morals are more important than outside laws, beliefs, and restrictions.

The individual was viewed as a being heroic and pioneering, making their own way in the world instead of following the beaten path made by others. The use of irony in the story is vast and all-encompassing throughout the story constantly building suspense, foreshadowing, and at times adding a dash

of humor. From the title of the story, to characters names, settings, clothing, and the time of the year all have hints of irony. Poe uses both dramatic and verbal irony. Dramatic irony is irony that is understood by the audience but not by the characters.

Verbal irony is when a word is used to convey a meaning that is actually the opposite of the literal meaning of the word. Irony is used with the name of the antagonist Fortunato. Fortunato suggesting good luck and fortunate, but he is anything but fortunate because on a day of fun and indulgence he is imprisoned by his friend to slowly die. Montresor’s name translates into “my treasure” but also the name comes from French origin, montrer meaning to show and sort meaning fate. Montresor’s name alone shows the ironic fact that his name means to show fate and that he eludes to Fortunato’s fate throughout the story.

Montresor see the entombing of Fortunato and the expulsion of him from his life and from the world as his ”treasure” which hints back to the translation of his name Montresor meaning “my treasure. ” Poe uses dramatic irony while being underground in the catacombs Fortunato throws a bottle into the air and asks Montresor if he is a mason and Montresor says he his as he shows him a trowel. Fortunato means the free masons fraternity while Montresor means that he is a literal mason, who uses stone and mortar. The play on words and the fact that Fortunato doesn’t comprehend the hint given to him by Montresor is not only ironic but terrifying.

Poe continuously uses irony throughout The Cask of

Amontillado to draw in and to scare. The ubiquitous irony even though sometimes under the surface elevates this story to a threshold seldom reached by authors. Because of the irony that lies under the surface it’s a story that can be read over and over always showing glimpses of information that may have not been seen before. Poe’s use of irony is magnificent and enjoyable which is why him and his stories are still so popular 150 years later. The Cask of Amontillado is strong story of revenge which leaves its mark on the mind of the reader.

The powerful emotions felt by Montresor are felt from the opening line, “The thousand injuries of Fortunato I had borne as I best could, but when he ventured upon insult I vowed revenge. ” Montresor never reveals what these injuries are or how he was insulted all we see are the effects of these injuries and the powerful emotions that are their result. Montresor’s revenge is masterfully planed, from the date, to the location, and even what he says while walking Fortunato to his tomb where he will live out the remainder of his short life.

Montresor puts his plan into action during carnival, where everyone is celebrating and drinking all through the night. The idea is that it wouldn’t be uncommon for Fortunato to go missing for a few days while celebrating carnival and Montresor takes advantage of this. The location is also crucial in Montresor’s revenge. He brings Fortunato down into the family wine cellar which wines underground into the family catacombs. In the catacombs they pass Montresor’s family coat of arms which states “Nemo me impune

lacessit,” meaning No one assails me with impunity.

Telling Fortunato without directly telling him that if you insult me or my family you will be punished. Throughout their walk to Fortunato’s future resting place Montresor gives Fortunato several attempts to leave. He also gives several clues to his intentions that evening. Montresor knows that while he is entombed that all he will think about his all the opportunities he had to leave and how this will drive him unbearable regret and second guessing. Montresor relishes in this thought and savers every moment of the walk while taunting Fortunato.

The theme of revenge in this story is the most powerful because of the trust Fortunato has for his old friend Montresor and how Montresor uses this trust against him. The revenge is so well thought out, precise, and malicious that it leaves the reader in terror. The symbolism runs ramped throughout the story, all having something dreadful or sinister behind them. One of the symbols that stands out is the Montresor’s family coat of arms. The coat of arms has a giant gold foot in a azure background crushing down on a serpent whose fangs are buried in the heel of the foot.

The coat of arms is a visual representation of Fortunato and Montresor’s relationship. Fortunato the serpent bit Montresor and now he’s going to destroy him. Also on the coat of arms is the motto: “Nemo me impune lacessit,” meaning that no one shall insult me with impunity. This further alludes to Montresor intended actions towards Fortunato’s. The color of the coat of arms is also significant, the color azure means “sky blue” giving the idea of

sky and freedom. Montresor thinks that he will gain freedom through revenge on Fortunato.

Looking through the life of Poe and the story The Cask of Amontillado it’s easy to see how he could bring himself to these places in his mind and create them into the breath taking stories that they are. The Cask of Amontillado can best be described as emotional terrifying, like watching a train wreck in slow motion and all that you can do is grit your teeth and watch. Poe does this so flawlessly through his symbolism, irony, and the idea of revenge, the whole time the reader can see what’s going to happen and wants to turn away but the story is to alluring and must go on to see how it ends.

Works Cited

1. The Cask of Amontillado Themes."Shmoop: Homework Help, Teacher Resources, Test Prep. Web. 08 Dec. 2011. <http://www. shmoop. com/cask-of-amontillado/themes. html>. "Edgar Allan Poe Biography - Facts, Birthday, Life Story - Biography. com."
2. "Famous Biographies & TV Shows - Biography. com. Web. 08 Dec. 2011. <http://www. biography. com/people/edgar-allan-poe-9443160>."
3. Literary Analysis: Irony in The Cask of Amontillado, by Edgar Allan Poe - by Kerry Michael Wood - Helium. " Helium - Where Knowledge Rules. Web. 08 Dec. 2011. <http://www. helium. com/items/700487-literary-analysis-irony-in-the-cas